Articles on Public Aid

The Department of Human Services (DHS) adopted an amendment to Related Program Provisions clarifying that public-assistance claims for funerals and burials are subject to appropriations and may be denied.

The Illinois Public Aid Code has been amended by specifying that effective June 1, 2015, payments will be authorized for bed reserves in nursing facilities and mental health facilities that are at least 90% occupied and have at least 80% of their occupants being Medicaid eligible.

The recently enacted Interstate Mutual Emergency Aid Act allows local municipalities to establish mutual aid agreements with government units from other states for the purpose of addressing "emergencies that extend or exceed a jurisdiction's emergency response capabilities."

Effective January 1, Illinois finally brought its Medicaid rules for long-term care into compliance with federal requirements. The new rules make it harder for Illinois long-term care recipients to protect their assets while preserving Medicaid eligibility. Here's what you need to know.

The Children's Health Insurance Program Act, Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code have been amended to require the Department of Health and Human Services to work with the dental community and other organizations to develop a dental home for children covered under the Acts. (215 ILCS 106/65 new; 215 ILCS 170/54 new; 305 ILCS 5/5-5.06 new).

On December 28, 2010, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District, reversed a decision of the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, finding that "gifts of income" are subject to the asset transfer policies of the federal Medicaid statute (see 42 USC § 1396p (2006)).

Illinois lawmakers added section 5-5.05 to the Illinois Public Aid Code. 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05. Section 5.05 titled "hospitals; psychiatric services" provides that the "per diem rate" to be paid to a hospital for inpatient services as of July 1, 2008, "shall be $363.77."

The Illinois General Assembly created the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty Act to support "the goal of the State of Illinois that all people be free from poverty." Section 5 notes that in the Illinois Constitution, "the elimination of poverty" is among the core goals of our state government.

In response to the problems of hunger and food insecurity facing Illinois families as a result of increasing unemployment, the Childhood Hunger Relief Act was passed on February 15, 2005, as a means of alleviating malnutrition and promoting academic achievement in low-income children.